Brooke Park memorial for Historical Institutional Abuse Victims and Survivors

A request to consider Brooke Park as a potential location for a memorial to the victims and survivors of Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) has been made by the Executive Office (TEO) to Derry City and Strabane District Council, The Derry News understands.

At Wednesday’s May meeting of Council’s Environment and Regeneration committee, councillors were asked to approve engagement with TEO regarding the proposed memorial.

The representative group Survivors North West has expressed a desire to see a memorial placed in Derry City's Brooke park.

Jon McCourt, the chairperson of Survivors North West which advocates on behalf of the Survivors and Victims of Historical Institutional Abuse, warmly welcomed the proposed Brooke Park Memorial.

Speakng to The Derry News, Mr McCourt said he was "delighted that the issue of a local memorial is being raised at Council".

"While realising there may be hurdles in the way it will deliver It is imperative that Victims and Survivors of Historical Instituional Abuse are publicly and formally recognised withis Council and within the Council area," he added.

"As you will be aware , the Executive Office had already agreed a Memorial Bench inside Parliament Buildings, at the end of the corridor by the entrance into the Assembly Chamber. This would have been out of sight and out of the reach of anyone except they were on an official tour of Parliament Buildings. Although meeting the requirements for memorial set out by Sir Anthony Hart in his recommendations in the HIA Inquiry Report published in March 2017, this was totally unsuited to meeting the public recognition that Victims and Survivors of Historical Institutional Abuse deserve and had lobbied for.

"While at this time, it is a matter for dicscussion within Council, allow me, as Chairperson of Survivors (North West) who has represented Victims and Survivors from the outset, to make a contribution to the conversation on their behalf, locally.

"The Executive Office have given tacit approval for a local Memorial. A few months ago the brought with them outline proposals and drawings for a suggested Memorial Bench. A significant number of our members contributed to the conversation and certainly were in favour of the concept proposed. 

"If Council decide to go forward with this proposal,  I believe the siting of such a memorial tribute is given real consideration.  In a public space certainly, accessable and signposted that offers a safe space for thos who wish to remember the impact of this tragic part of our history and the many lives affected by it. In a way it should be a reflective and contemplative space, a place fitting of memorial. The City Centre does not offer this but there is one site in the city which does and has historical context which honours such a tribute. Centred in Brooke park is the site of the original Gwyn's Institute, the original building , an orphanage in Derry," said Mr McCourt.

Gwyn's Institute was established in 1840 thanks to the will of John Gwyn, a merchant and philanthropist.

The Institute's purpose was to care for orphaned and destitute children, regardless of their religious affiliation, as stipulated in Gwyn's will.

It was operational from 1840 until it closed after almost 50 years.   

According to Jon McCourt, Gwyn had experienced the pain of losing his father while still a child, and of being shabbily treated by a stepfather.

"This had evidently instilled in him a strong desire to help others who found themselves in a similar situation," reflected Jon McCourt.

"It is on record that he 'never rejected the immediate claims of the poor' but at the same time was determined to accumulate enough money to finance a major project for the relief of orphans and other deprived children," he added.

"His intentions were formally set out in the will which he drew up in 1818. The bulk of his fortune would be used to 'feed, clothe and educate' as many as possible of the 'male children of the poor or lowest class of society resident in and belonging to the City' preference being given to orphans.

"Gwyn, who had been born into a Church of Ireland family, in his will he stipulated that boys of all religious denominations should be assisted, and that while in care they should be allowed to attend appropriate services of worship - forward thinking and care for others which was sadly lacking in those who would later take over the role in Childrens Residential Care. 

"The historical connection with the site at Brooke Park, the availability of space and the beautiful setting make it the most appropriate place in the City for a contemplative memorial space to honour victims and survivors of historical Institutional abuse.

"In fact the perfect site in Brooke park would be close to the original Gwyns Institutue, just above the pond. There is already a public bench there on the Rosemount side of the pond. I would also suggest the planting of four indigenous memorial Oak trees close to where the bench would be located. One for each of the Institutions that formerly existed in the City and were mentioned in The Hart Report. Termonbacca, Nazareth House, The Good Shepherds Laundry and the State homes Fort James and Harberton House. These trees to be planted by former residents of each home or a family member or representative.

A fitting tribute in a fitting place for such a memorial. I wish this proposal every success. the success will mean a lot more with the views of Victims and Survivors being part of the discussion and consideration," said Mr McCourt.

The Derry News believes Ministers are scheduled to meet with Survivors North West to discuss HIA-related matters, including memorial plans.

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It is expected that Survivors North West will raise the idea of placing a memorial in Brooke Park during that meeting, consequently TEO wants to determine whether Derry City and Strabane District councillors would "consider this location in principle".

In 2017, the HIA Inquiry Report recommended a memorial to the victims and survivors should be erected in Parliament Buildings, or in the grounds of the Stormont Estate. The report also recommended the design of such a memorial should be chosen by a competition conducted by the Arts Council.

TEO has responsibility for implementation of the Inquiry’s recommendation. After Executive Ministers offered an apology to victims and survivors on March 11, 2022: TEO commenced engagement with victims’ and survivors’ representative groups on a memorial. 

Engagement exercises were then held in Autumn 2023 to hear the views of a wider range of victims and survivors, including those who were not members of representative groups.

From this engagement it was clear that, while some victims and survivors wanted to see the specific Inquiry recommendation implemented in full, many wanted to see accessible memorials placed throughout the North.

Ministers have now approved engagement with Councils on potential suitable sites for localised memorials. It is anticipated these potential locations would broadly mirror the locations where institutions were located. The memorials would be designed by an artist that would be selected by and Arts Council competiton. These could be linked by QR codes, which would direct visitors to a website providing information on the experience of victims and survivors.

Councillors were told that, at this stage, there was very little detail on the proposed plan and what the proposed memorial may look like and therefore, "at this stage it is difficult to consider if Brooke Park is the best / appropriate location".

In the report brought to the Environment and Regeneration committee meeting on the subject of a HIA memorial, councillors were advised that they "may wish to take into consideration the historic nature / vision for Brooke Park and the potential for other suitable locations".

Members were asked to approve engagement between Council officers and TEO in respect of the HIA memorial. A further report on the matter will brought before councillors in due course.